St. Helens

The religious profile of St. Helens changed substantially in the 10 years leading up to 2011. Data from the census also show there were changes in housing tenure and health.

The population decreased

In the 10 years leading up to the latest census, the population of St. Helens fell by 0.9%, from almost 177,000 to 175,000.

The loss of just under 2,000 people means this area's population decreased by 0.9% between that last two censuses, while the population of England increased by 7.9%

In 2011, St. Helens was home to, on average, 9.2 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was higher than the average across the North West

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the North West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Rise in considerably limiting disability

This area saw the North West's largest rise in the proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability.

Across the region, Blackburn with Darwen saw the next largest increase in the proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability (from 3.7% in 2001 to 4.7% in 2011).

Every local authority area across the North West saw a rise in the proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability, as the regional average grew from 3.7% to 4.4%.

In 2011, just over 1 in 18 (5.7%) in St. Helens reported being limited a lot in their day-to-day activities, compared with 4.6% in 2001. The percentage who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 7.5% to 7.2%.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across the North West

Percentage of usual residents that that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the North West and the average across England, March 2011

Change in unpaid care provision

This area saw the North West's largest rise in the proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care.

Across the region, Fylde saw the next largest increase in the proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care (from 2.2% in 2001 to 2.8% in 2011).

Every local authority area across the North West saw a rise in the proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care, as the regional average grew from 2.4% to 2.8%.

In 2011, just under 1 in 25 (3.7%) in St. Helens reported providing at least 50 hours of unpaid care each week, compared with 3.0% in 2001. The percentage that provided between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care increased from 1.7% to 2.1%.

The proportion of people providing 50 hours, or more, of weekly unpaid care in St. Helens remained close to 3.7%

Percentage of usual residents in England, North West and St. Helens by care, March 2001 and March 2011

Changes in family structure

This area saw the North West's third-largest fall in the proportion of households with adult children living with their parents.

Across the region, only Eden (from 10% to 9.3%) and Salford (from 10% to 9.2%) saw a greater decrease in the proportion of households with adult children living with their parents.

In 2011, just under one in eight (12%) households in St. Helens had only adult children living with their parents, compared with 13% in 2001. The percentage with at least one child decreased from 32% to 29%.

The proportion of households with only adult children living with their parents was higher than across the North West

Percentage of households that where a parent lived with their adult children across local authority areas in the North West and the average across England, March 2011

Religion in St. Helens

The number of people in St. Helens that described themselves as Christian increased from about 150,000 in 2001 to just under 140,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 87% to 79% of the local population.

The percentage decreased by less than the average across the North West (from 78% to 67%) and the average across England (from 72% to 59%).

The number of people in St. Helens that described themselves as having no religion increased from just over 11,000 in 2001 to just under 26,000 in 2011 (from 6.3% to 15%). The number of people who did not disclose their religious affiliation decreased from just over 11,000 to about 9,600 (from 6.2% to 5.5%).

Just under 610 people (0.2%) said they were Muslim, up from about 350 in 2001 (0.4%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population who identified as Christian in St. Helens decreased by 8.1 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, North West and St. Helens by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in St. Helens that rented privately increased from 4.4% to 10% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just over one in five (21%) households lived in social housing, compared with 24% in 2001. The percentage of St. Helens households that owner their home decreased from 69% to 67%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 8.5% in 2001 to 15% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in St. Helens increased by 5.9 percentage points

Percentage of households in St. Helens, the North West and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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